Teens plea to Reading Borough Council for votes for 16-year-olds

Cllr John Ennis is urging Reading Borough Council's chief executive to write to the Government supporting a reduction in the voting age

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Two young people who have already proved their interest in politics made a plea to the council to back a campaign to introduce votes for 16-year-olds.

The proposal was put by Councillor John Ennis, lead member for education and children services, calling on the council’s managing director to write to the Electoral Commission to support the age change.

Cllr Ennis opened the debate by calling on Member of the Youth Parliament Ellie Emberson and David Langridge of the Reading Youth Cabinet to speak.

David pointed out that the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey had all lowered the voting age to 16.

Ellie said 16-year-olds were allowed to get married, consent to having sex, have a child, leave home, pay tax and join the armed forces.

She said 16-year-olds had “rights and responsibilities”, but could not vote.

They were backed by Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Ricky Duveen who said: “Once they start voting many of them will take up the voting habit for the rest of their lives.”

Cllr Peter Jones said: “One of the things we are really lacking is a young person’s voice in our decision-making, in particular with regard to education.”

Cllr Rob White said the Green Party would support lowering the voting age to 16. He said what was needed was “political reform and a better quality of representation than we have got at the moment”.

His remark provoked laughter and cries of “speak for yourself”.

However, the Conservatives were not prepared to back the proposal.

Leader of the Tories, Cllr Jeanette Skeats, said: “We on our side do not believe that 16-year-olds should vote.”

Cllr Peter Jones interrupted with a shout across the council chamber of “remember William Hague”, referring to the youthful Foreign Secretary-to-be speaking as a lad at a Tory Party conference.

Cllr Skeats said: “We are not convinced 16-year-olds are actually ready for that big decision, it’s a big decision and it carries many responsibilities.”

Cllr Richard Willis pointed out the age of majority was 18 in this country and, although 16-year-olds were allowed to join the armed forces, they were not able to take part in armed combat.

He said they were not allowed to buy alcohol or cigarettes.

However, the proposal was passed without the support of the Conservatives.

It said the council believed: “With 16 now established as the age at which young people take responsibility for life decisions including where to live, what career path to take and about their personal relationships, the time has come to widen the franchise for local, national and European elections so as to allow all 16-year-olds to vote.”

Managing director for the council Ian Wardle will now write to the Electoral Commission, the Local Government Association and Reading MPs Alok Sharma and Rob Wilson asking for their support for the change.